The FDM 900mc was developed for use in direct digital manufacturing jobs, most often in low-volume requirements. It has an accuracy rating of ±0.005 in., or ±0.0015 in./in., whichever is greater. The company says this rivals injection molding for accuracy and repeatability. The figures rival those from injection molding for accuracy and repeatability. It’s more cost effective in low-volume production than traditional manufacturing.

The developer’s quality department completed an FDM 900mc accuracy study, using three of the machines, and building 144 standard test parts with 27 measurements per part, for a total of 3,888 measured dimensions. Results: dimensions were 99.9% in spec. In other words, only one in one thousand measurements did not fall within the specification. This machine’s precision lets it rival competing rapid-technology methods and traditional processes for low volume manufacturing and prototyping.

Stratasys Inc., 7665 Commerce Way, Eden Prairie, MN 55344, (952) 937-3000, stratasys.com